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Media Release: Part 2 of 2 To be released immediately August 30, 2021 Million Dollar Gift to the Carleton Place Hospital – a Legacy to Thomas Cavanagh
The Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) Foundation had a special surprise planned for the public launch of its Healthy Futures. Together! fundraising campaign at the Jock River Jam held on Saturday, August 28. A gift of $1 Million to the hospital was announced as a tribute to the late Thomas (Tom) Cavanagh. The gift was announced by the Cavanagh family following a special appearance by Wayne Rodstadt who debuted his new song “Get ‘Er Done” written about Tom. $1 Million Gift The $1 Million gift to the hospital was planned by Tom before he passed in December, 2019. The Cavanagh family were unwavering with this commitment and wanted to honour their father in the process. With the blessing of the CPDMH Board of Directors and CPDMH Foundation, this gift is being made with the intention of naming the new Emergency Department building after Tom as a lasting legacy for his generosity and support of his community. Lori Cavanagh, daughter to Tom, has been involved with the CPDMH Foundation’s Healthy Futures. Together! Campaign from the start. She is Campaign Co-Chair along with good family friend and Reeve of Beckwith Township, Richard Kidd. “This gift is from Tommy… he knew about this and we’re happy to be getting it done for him” said Lori Cavanagh. “Tom Cavanagh’s generosity throughout the Ottawa Valley is legendary and this Million Dollar donation carried out by his family adds to his legacy… Our community is certainly very grateful for this donation” added Richard Kidd. Thomas Cavanagh’s Generosity Remembered Tom was known to be very generous and gave freely without hesitation whenever he saw a need. “Dad appreciated the blessings and success he enjoyed locally. They allowed him to bless the success of others by giving, in various ways, when he learned of an opportunity” stated Cindy Cavanagh, daughter of Tom Cavanagh. “This Emergency Department, we all know, will someday, be appreciated and used by ourselves or a loved one. When you give where you live it’s another win-win won. Dad would agree” she added. “He taught us about generosity and to ‘give where you live’,” said Lori Cavanagh. “We’re following his example” she added. About Thomas Cavanagh Thomas Cavanagh, founder of Thomas Cavanagh Construction, was well known to all who knew him, as a generous and kind man who cared deeply for his community. Starting with a single dump truck in 1953, his company has grown to over 800 employees, whom he considered his extended family. Tom was proud of the many people and their families that made their livelihoods with Cavanagh Construction. Tom spoke fast, drove fast, and lived fast. Tom passed away, surrounded by his family in December, 2019. About the “Get ‘Er Done” Song by Wayne Rodstadt Introduced by Beckwith Reeve and close family friend, Richard Kidd, Wayne Rodstadt was a special guest of the Cavanagh family who took to the stage to sing 1 song; a tribute written for his late friend, Tom Cavanagh. This was the very first time for the Cavanagh family to hear the tribute song. Entitled “Get ‘Er Done,” the song is a story which Mr. Rodstadt wrote about his memories of Tom. “Tommy and Wayne had a long history and shared a love of Country & Western music throughout the valley. Wayne’s tribute to him is very much appreciated” stated Kay Cavanagh, beloved wife of Tom. About the Jock River Jam The Jock River Jam was a 1-day musical festival which took place in Beckwith Park from 12 noon until 8 pm on Saturday, August 28 and featured local live music and entertainment. During the event, the CPDMH Foundation officially launched the public phase of their $4 Million campaign for a new Emergency Department building and needed patient care equipment at the hospital. About the Health Futures. Together! $4 Million Emergency Department Comprehensive Capital Campaign The campaign seeks to raise a total of $4 million to cover the community’s share of the $10 Million new Emergency Department building and all of the patient care equipment needed in the new building and throughout the hospital. The CPDMH Foundation announced the launch of its $4 Million campaign at the Jock River Jam. Following a successful leadership phase led by Co-Chairs Lori Cavanagh and Richard Kidd, with a team of 22 volunteer campaign cabinet community members, the campaign will now become something all members of the community can support through numerous community events planned over a 10-month period. “We waited for COVID restrictions to allow us to celebrate publically all of the donors who have already supported the campaign in the leadership phase. With the generosity of the Cavanagh family gift, we are now at $3.4 Million already raised!” stated Robyn Arseneau, CPDMH Foundation executive director. “We are so elated to now be in a position where we can provide more information about the campaign and to invite all community members to participate.” The public phase of the campaign is expected to until the Emergency Department project’s ground breaking with various events, fundraisers, and drives to be held throughout. Following the Ministry of Health’s approval of stage 3.2 new information, a virtual walk-through and architectural renderings can be found on the campaign website: cpdmhfoundation.ca/healthyfuturestogether About the CPDMH Foundation Established in 1994, the CPDMH Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to raising funds for the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital in support of providing the best healthcare possible to the residents of Carleton Place and surrounding communities. Each year the CPDMH Foundation commits to purchasing modern and up-to-date patient care equipment which is needed for the hospital. In addition to providing vital equipment, the CPDMH Foundation also raises funds to support staff education and training, high school bursaries, various special equipment and program needs in addition to upgrades to the hospital facility. For more information, please visit cpdmhfoundation.ca/healthyfuturestogether, cpdmhfoundation.ca or contact the Foundation office at 613-257-GIVE (4483) or foundation@carletonplacehosp.com. Charitable Registration No. 86610 5398 RR0001. -30- Media Contact Robyn Arseneau Executive Director Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Foundation 613-257-GIVE (4483) rarseneau@carletonplacehosp.com Contact foundation@careltonplacehosp.com for Photos 
Cindy, Kay and Lori Cavanagh presenting the $1 Million Cavanagh family cheque.  The late Thomas Cavanagh
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